Covering Testimony: Angela D.
Name: Angela D. | Age: 19 | Location: Ontario, Canada | Starting Covering: April 2015
1) Introduce yourself to our readers.
Hello! I am a 2nd year University student. I have completed a year of Bible College and have gone on two missions trips. I have a great heart for serving believers and nonbelievers. It is my hope and dream to lift up and encourage believers within Canada and across borders to grow even deeper into our Saviour.
2) Where do you attend church? Tell us a little bit about it. Do others practice headcovering there?
I started attending an independent Church this last spring that is very much like the Brethren denomination. Almost every woman covers her head in church with a mantilla, scarf, hat, or head wrap style. It’s not mandatory for women to cover their head if they’re only casually attending. However, If you want to become a member head covering is one of their imperative beliefs.
3) What led you to start covering?
I had just moved to town that week, and this was the first (and only) church I attended in my search. When I walked into the service for the first time I was thinking, “whoa, whats with all of these things on their heads?” I had always thought of head covering as cultural in large part because all of the pictures you see of Jesus’ time (eg. Nativity scene) where they almost always have their heads covered. I never thought of it as anything different than the verses about not braiding your hair or adjourning yourself in jewelry; cultural to distinguish from prostitutes. After that service I was incredibly intrigued and felt like I should be covering too. But first I had to research. I went home and began researching the original Greek and and going on YouTube to find testimonies. This is where I found the Head Covering Movement’s videos! They explained things so simply but still in depth and i finally thought, “Yep, this covering is happening.” The most convincing thing about 1 Corinthians 11 for me was not only Paul talking about angels and the order of creation, but that it took up so much space in a book of the Bible that we read from all the time! How could I listen to 1 Corinthians 13 and ignore 1 Corinthians 11?
4) What was that first Sunday like when you showed up in a covering?
Putting on my head covering felt great. I felt confident in it. The only downside was that I was thinking about it so much and the first time I wore it it slipped off a few times. Nobody gave me a sideways look because it was normal for women to cover, which made the choice a bit easier. No pressure, no questions, and a lot of people to talk to about it!
5) When do you use your covering?
For most of the spring/summer I just wore it for formal church services, but I slowly started wearing it more outside of Church in devotions and prayer. I started covering full time in October. I don’t believe Scripture calls us to cover full time but I have been because it reminds me throughout the day of Jesus. Sometimes it is a reminder to be careful with my words and attitudes, and others it is a comfort, reminding me that God is very near. It also helps with humility. I have beautiful blond hair that I love to braid and keep up with the latest trends. Putting a “cap” on my beauty brings me back to a humble (and even more beautiful!) reality; of God being my focus.
5) What would you say is the best and the most difficult aspect about head covering?
Some fellow believers have been difficult. Both men and women in Christ not respecting my stance on 1 Corinthians 11. Since I am young I will get the additional put down “Oh, It’s just a phase” or they’ll say that “I’m too young to decide what the “hard things” of scripture say. But that’s only been a few of so many believers who DO respect it and have been wondering more about it! The best part of covering for me has been about feeling in a good place with God when I wear my covering. I feel like it brings me humbly to Him and when I wear it I am more aware of Him in and through me in everyday situations. When I feel the covering on my head I am reminded to whom I belong. Not to this world but to God.
6) What counsel can you give to women that do not cover out of fear?
It is scary to wear it around other people. I know it was scary for me to wear my covering outside of formal Church settings, around friends, to talk about it with believers. BUT it is a great way to pursue God, going outside of our comfort zones! There is great reward in Jesus when we step outside of what we are comfortable with. He has rewarded me so greatly in covering. Personally as a self sacrifice of one of my idols (my hair) and also conversations with believers and non believers alike has been incredibly fruitful! Now I walk with confidence in my head covering. I pray and hope that all women who consider it would find that confidence in Him too.
7) What kind of covering(s) do you use? Where did you get them?
I wear a formal long Spanish style mantilla to Church most Sundays. I purchased my mantilla online at Silver Hill Treasures (It’s great because it really stays on even without pins because of it’s weight). When I am at home/out I like to wear infinity scarves draped over my head loosely (as seen in my picture). I also wear pashminas (Hijab style) occasionally when it’s really windy so it won’t blow off my head. I wear hats sometimes when I want more warmth. I’ve collected my scarves from Burlington Coat Factory, and similar retailers. My pashminas were a gift from Turkey and from various market type places.
